BATON ROUGE (June 2, 2010) - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Robert Barham announced the following opening to recreational and commercial fishing in northeast St. Bernard Parish effective sunrise, tomorrow June 3. This area was previously closed as a precautionary effort. To date no oil has been confirmed in these waters.

The inshore waters on the eastern shore of the Biloxi Marsh north of 29 degrees 57 minutes 29.6 seconds north and south of 30 degrees 09 minutes 20.5 seconds north latitude from 89 degrees 15 minutes 30 seconds west longitude westward to 89 degrees 17 minutes 10 seconds west longitude.

Precautionary closures of recreational and commercial fishing have been implemented based on the best information the Secretary of the Department receives from field biologists, staff and trajectory models from NOAA.

Once reports of oil are received, LDWF initiates a field survey and immediate seafood testing in the suspected areas. Closures are subsequently made with the intent to be as safe as possible, while not closing any fishing areas unnecessarily. As test results come back clearing the area, effected waters are then reopened.

LDWF continues to work closely with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to conduct coast-wide sampling of fish, crabs and shrimp, to ensure all seafood harvested from the Gulf is a safe, quality product.